Programmer vs. Developer: Job Roles, Differences, Salaries

If you’re interested in working with computers, you have a. array of careers to choose from, including a computer programmer or a software developer. While both involve technical knowledge and work together on similar projects, these positions differ in several ways. 

Learn more about the skills and responsibilities required for each of these professions, their salaries, and how to gain the qualifications you need to enter the field. To start exploring a career as a full-stack developer, consider the IBM Full-Stack JavaScript Developer Professional Certificate. In this 12-course series, you can explore full-stack development languages, frameworks, tools, and technologies to develop job-ready skills valued by employers.

Computer programmer vs. software developer: What’s the difference?

Both software developers and programmers write, test, and debug code. Often, people may use these job titles interchangeably. However, a few key differences exist between them. Developers often contribute to the design and planning portions of the software development life cycle (SDLC). They might meet with other departments, users, or stakeholders to discuss business goals and help translate those requirements into technical specifications. As a programmer, you tend to focus on interpreting those plans and writing the code to accomplish the outlined tasks. 

What do programmers do?

A programmer is a technically skilled individual who takes the developer’s “blueprints” and directs the computer to carry out one or more aspects of them. The instructions the programmer writes in computer language are “code.” Different computer systems “understand” different languages, so as a programmer, you will want to be proficient in the language(s) necessary for each job. After coding, the programmer carefully tests the code to ensure the computer does what it should in that particular realm.

As a skilled technician who writes instructions for computers in coding languages, you do not need to decide what the computer will do. Instead, as a programmer, you will figure out how to get the computer to do what is necessary. Programming is similar to translation. It includes testing to ensure the translation is effective: the computer, reading the instructions translated into its language, does what the instructions ask it to do.

As a programmer, you likely won’t have to manage the overall project as a developer does, although there can be some overlap between the two jobs at times. You will focus primarily on writing and testing the coded computer instructions.

Programmer skills and education

As a computer programmer, you will need strong analytical skills as well as the capacity to communicate clearly and work effectively in teams. Sixty percent of computer programmers have a bachelor’s degree, 10 percent have a master’s degree, 22 percent have an associate degree, and 3 percent have a high school diploma [1]. Relevant areas of study include computer science, computer programming, business, and computer information systems.

Programmers obtain continuing education to keep up with technological advancements and relevant coding languages. This might involve acquiring certifications specific to tools or technologies in your industry. A programmer with business experience might become a computer systems analyst and possibly earn a promotion to a managerial position.

Read more: What Are Computer Information Systems? Definition, Degree, and Careers 

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What does a developer do?

A developer has broad conceptual responsibility. As a developer, you will begin by communicating with the user to understand their needs. How can computers help the user accomplish the stated goal or solve the stated problem? This is the question for which you will create a solution.

In a larger company, a developer might delegate most or all of the computer instruction writing (coding) to one or more computer programmers. In this case, you would primarily act as a project manager. In a smaller company, you might both conceptualize a solution and do the necessary coding to get the computer to carry out the solution.

As a developer, you will use your problem-solving skills to steer the computer project throughout the entire development process: learning the user’s needs, devising a plan to get the computer to meet those needs, delegating coding tasks within that plan to one or more programmers, and verifying that the entire system works.

Along the way, you might write and test code as a subset of managing the entire computer project, especially in a smaller company, but your primary job will be to guide the project.

Software developer skills and education

As a software developer, you typically create applications from conception to completion, meet with users, and direct others. Therefore, you need to have skills that include analytical capabilities, problem-solving aptitude, interpersonal competence, and the capacity to convey instructions well.

Seventy-two percent of software developers have a bachelor’s degree, 20 percent have a master’s degree, 5 percent have an associate degree, and 2 percent have a high school diploma [2].

With experience, a software developer might become a computer and information systems analyst with greater responsibility in overseeing the software development process.

Coding languages used in each role

Computer programmers and software developers often work on the same team. The knowledge required for each role differs, with some overlap. Both job titles require a strong background in computer science, excellent coding skills, and critical thinking.

As a programmer, your focus is usually entirely on writing computer code. Your knowledge of computer languages will be more extensive than that of a software developer. The developer will take a project that a client requests and let you know what the computer needs to do to get the desired outcome.

Each language you learn is a tool for a different purpose. An artisan must master a set of tools that suits their purpose—a cabinet maker, for example, will use a different set of tools than a potter. Think about what types of projects interest you. Are you more interested in elements of design, statistical analysis, game and app development, storage and the cloud, the Internet of Things (IoT), or something else?

To become a computer programmer, consider mastering the following programming languages:

• SQL

• Python

• Java

• JavaScript

• C

• C++

• C#

• R

• Perl

• Golang (Go)

Each of these languages has its advantages. Python is one of the world’s most popular languages, adaptable to numerous settings with solid community support. R supports data analysis.

As a developer, you will oversee the entirety of a project, find creative ways of accomplishing what the user wants, and act as a go-between among users and programmers. Your job will be a broader, more conceptual one than a programmer, although you need competence in some computer languages.

As of 2024, the most common programming languages for software developers include [3]: 

• JavaScript 

• HTML/CSS

• Python 

• SQL 

• TypeScript

• Bash/Shell

• Java

• C# 

• C++

• C

The language you use will depend on the type of project you are overseeing. C++ is a popular choice for working with an operating system. Java, Python, and C++ all support app development.

Job outlook for software developers and computer programmers

The job outlook for software developers is currently quite promising, while a decline is expected for programming roles. Software development has an expected growth rate of 15 percent between 2024 and 2034 [4].

Developer vs programmer salary expectations

Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers made a median pay of $131,450 in May 2024 compared to computer programmers, who made an annual salary of $98,670 [4, 5]. 

Where do programmers and developers work?

Nearly every modern business employs software developers and programmers. You may find work as a computer programmer or developer within an information technology (IT) company, but you may also find work outside of this field. You can seek work in a wide array of industries, including:

• Finance: Banks, credit processing, and lending companies hire programmers.

• Health care: Programmers write and test code for health data processing software.

• Agriculture: Computer programmers write code to discern the best methods for farming techniques, such as increasing crop yield.

• Design: Computer programmers can be a vital part of a design team, translating design elements into a language that the computer can apply.

• Retail: Companies rely heavily on online sales; computer programmers make these sales websites run efficiently.

• Gaming: Computer programmers code games so that the designers achieve what they plan and the users have a positive experience. 

How to start your career in the IT industry

First, get a sense of the landscape to explore a career in IT. You can find YouTube videos, podcasts, and internet forums to investigate what kinds of IT jobs exist and what might be a good fit for you.

Next, polish your skills through education and experience. This can involve coursework to gain relevant certification, volunteer work, and personal projects. Consider a course like the Google IT Support Professional Certificate.

Alert your network of friends, family, and colleagues that you’re seeking an IT career. They might have direct links to jobs or connect you with others who do. Remember to publish your interests and your skills on job network sites such as LinkedIn.

Finally, polish your interview skills and apply for entry-level positions. If you think you can do the job, go ahead and apply, even if your qualifications on paper are not a perfect fit. A potential employer might see capabilities during an interview that are difficult to capture on paper.

Getting into programming roles

If computer programming is the type of IT job that interests you, first evaluate your current skills and experience. Through the kind of exploration described above, narrow down the specific aspect of programming that interests you. That will empower you to set a goal for a specific type of programming job in a particular industry. Knowing your goal may lead you to discover what kind of education you will need to get there, whether it’s a certification or an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree. Remain connected with your network and seek entry-level jobs in your desired area. Plan to continue to update your knowledge and skills throughout your career. 

Getting into developer roles

To be a software developer, begin by learning a programming language. Developers know and use languages such as Java, Python, C++, and Scala.

Next, consider your goals: Does a specific industry appeal to you, such as health care or gaming? You might need background knowledge in that industry to help you begin your career.

Evaluate courses, certificates, and degrees relevant to your area of interest. If seeking a bachelor’s degree, you might want to major in computer science or information technology and minor in a subject relevant to the industry that interests you.

Consider choosing a personal project related to the type of development work you want. Find project opportunities through Coursera’s project network and elsewhere on the internet. 

Stay connected to your network, and if they are not hiring software developers, they might know others who are. 

Explore our free resources for computer programmers and software developers 

Check out how to start a career in software development with the Coursera YouTube channel. Also, keep learning with free resources to explore top skills, tips, and educational pathways from industry leaders.

• Watch on YouTube: How to Become a Software Developer

• Explore career options: How to Become a Game Developer

• Get inspired: How One Software Developer’s Leadership Aspirations Led Her to Graduate School

If you want to further develop your programming skills through online learning, a subscription to allows you to access over 10,000 programs by over 350 leading companies and universities. 

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